Canada is about to get a little greener #TDGreenStreets

Nearly $300,000 in TD Green Streets grants awarded to communities across the Country

TORONTO, April 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) and Tree Canada granted nearly $300,000 to this year's 2013 TD Green Streets recipients.  In recognition of their innovative environmental projects and partnerships, 25 outstanding Canadian communities will receive grants in support of their local forestry initiatives.

"At TD, we are proud to help Canada become a little greener through the TD Green Streets grant program. But it's the communities we have to thank for planting the first seeds. Their submissions demonstrate our country's growing commitment to environmental advancement and improvement, at the local level," said Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

As the flagship program of Tree Canada, TD Green Streets awards matching grants of up to $15,000 to support municipal forestry projects.  Since its inception in 1994, almost 500 municipalities, Aboriginal communities and Business Improvement Associations have been awarded Green Streets grants. Recipients are selected by a panel of representatives from TD FEF and Tree Canada, and regional urban forest practitioners.

"Canadians understand the need for healthy and vital urban landscapes and the value that trees bring to their communities. This year's grant recipients demonstrate a true commitment to maintaining and enhancing daily life through innovative tree inventory, planting, maintenance and educational projects," said Mike Rosen, President, Tree Canada.

From storm water management to an educational arboretum, these communities have developed innovative and strategic approaches to addressing local environmental challenges and to maintaining a healthy urban canopy.

Among this year's recipients are:

• Canmore, Alberta - Canmore's local tree population was hit by a pine beetle infestation, resulting in 600 dead, hazardous trees between 2011/2012. The Canmore community is planning on revitalizing three parks in the area, through a collaborative tree planting initiative involving local elementary schools, community clubs and the Town of Canmore.
  

• Chatham-Kent, Ontario -  The regional municipality made up of many small towns, will be planting trees at each community entranceway in an effort to connect eight urban areas through green infrastructure.
  

• Langley, British Columbia - Members of the town plan to utilize a previously underdeveloped park site and build a new arboretum and off-leash walking trail for dogs. Community members will plant trees in this area to provide a visual buffer between the residential area and the industrial/commercial area surrounding the park.
  

• Rothesay, New Brunswick - The town plans to develop an educational arboretum that will show the variety of tree species native to the area's Acadian forest, to provide community members the opportunity to appreciate and understand their local environment. To encourage environmental stewardship, community members will be planting 60 two-meter trees, representing the species found in the Acadian forest.
  

• Stratford, Prince Edward Island - Native trees, shrubs and wildflowers will be planted in the wetlands by community members, to improve local water quality and help prevent sediment and chemical run-off in the area.
  
  

2013 TD Green Streets recipients:

For more information about TD Green Streets, and to learn how to apply for a 2014 TD Green Streets grant, please visit www.tdgreenstreets.ca.

About Tree Canada:
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit organization committed to creating greener, healthier communities by encouraging tree planting and care where Canadians live, work and play. For 20 years, Tree Canada has offered technical expertise, education, funding, and resources to green-thumbed individuals, groups, governments, and corporations. Nurturing urban and rural forestry not only sustains Canada's proud heritage of biodiversity and natural beauty, but also clears the air. Trees are warriors against climate change, absorbing carbon, producing oxygen, and naturally cooling our cities. Tree Canada has planted more than 78 million trees and greened more than 530 schoolyards across the country, and continues to develop programs for corporate social responsibility, education, and fundraising, leaving a legacy that can benefit all Canadians. Tree Canada is a recipient of the Canadian Environmental Award. Its tenth national urban forest conference took place October 2-4, 2012, in London, Ontario. Learn more at treecanada.ca.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $60 million in funding to more than 21,000 environmental projects across Canada. In 2012, TD FEF provided more than $4.8 million in support of 1,089 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated, goes directly to funding environmental projects and programs. For more information on how to donate, visit www.tdfef.com.

SOURCE: TD Bank Group